San Antonio Rampage | CollegeHockeyPlayers

21Oct

Ryan Garlock(22) Springfield Falcons

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Chicago Blackhawks‘ 2004 2nd round draft pick (#45 overall) center Ryan Garlock(22) signed a pto to start the season out of camp with Springfield Falcons and 5 games into the season and 5 assists later, he’s up it to an spc for 2011/2012.

He might be starting the argument that there was a good reason Chicago picked him so high but he never played in their system. At age 25, he’s already a veteran of just under 200 games played. Columbus could be watching.

For the last couple of seasons he’s been with Hartford Wolf Pack / Connecticut Whale.

24Sep

Dylan Reese(2) New York Islanders

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

5th year defenseman Dylan Reese(2) looks to become a full-time NHL player after splitting time with New York Islanders and their AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers the last couple seasons.

He scored the Isles first two goals in their preseason game against the Bruins on 9/23 (a 6-3 loss) and looked good offensively but less stable in the defensive zone.

It’s almost certain that he’ll be making a few car trips between Long Island and Connecticut again in 2011/2012.

Originally drafted by New York Rangers in the 7th round of the 2003 draft (#209 overall), he only skated 10 games with Hartford Wolf Pack at the end of his college career with Harvard Crimson but never signed with the team.

22Sep

David Marshall(42) San Antonio Rampage

Posted in AHL, ECHL | Leave a comment

After seeing playing time last season with three AHL teams (Worcester, Wilkes-Barre, Rochester for a combined 43 games, scoring 5 goals, 4 assists and another 11 playoff games with WBS Penguins), undrafted 3rd year pro signs a contract with San Antonio Rampage for the 2011/2012 season. No official word, but it’s believed to be a one-way deal.

He’s had stints in the ECHL with Wheeling and Charlotte over the course of the last couple seasons.

Playing for one team, I expect him to be at least a 20-point guy for the Rampage.

18Sep

Brian McGrattan(38) Anaheim Ducks

Posted in AHL, NHL | 1 Comment

Mammoth-sized (6’4″ 235 lbs) 10th year vet, Brian McGrattan(38) signed a one-year, two-way deal to stay in the Anaheim Ducks‘ system after he was traded late last season by Boston in what amounted to a 4-player minor league swap.

He had played mostly in the NHL for the prior five seasons but last year failed to catch on with a club in the big league. The Ducks already have a guy named George Parros to do their dirty work, so he’ll likely find most, if not all of his playing time with their AHL affiliate Syracuse Crunch.

08Sep

Dane Byers(34) Columbus Blue Jackets

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Dane Byers(34) had a busy AHL season last year getting traded from New York Rangers (Hartford Wolf Pack) to Columbus Blue Jackets (Springfield Falcons) early in the season and then Phoenix Coyotes (San Antonio) at the trade deadline.

Not being signed by Phoenix at the start of unrestricted free agency, Columbus came right back to the table and offered him a one-year, two-way contract for 2011/2012.

In 5 years, he’s played 6 NHL games scoring 1 goal but we expect to see him in Springfield to help them into the Calder Cup for the first time in forever.

18Aug

Tyler Plante(35) Florida Panthers / Rochester Americans

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

2005 Florida Panthers 2nd round draft pick (#32 overall) Tyler Plante(35) will mind the net once again in 2011/2011 for the only organization he’s played with during his 4 pro seasons as he re-signed for a one-year, two-way deal. The only difference will be the NHL team’s AHL affiliation has switched to San Antonio Rampage, so he’ll be in Texas instead of Rochester.

For a goaltender that was so highly touted and selected, it’s a bit of a wonder why he’s yet to play an NHL game.

9/14-12: Receives an invite to attend St. John’s IceCaps‘ training camp when it opens, putting their total capable number of net minders for the upcoming season at three. The 25-year old played mostly overseas in 2011/2012.

13Aug

David LeNeveu(31) Oklahoma City Barons / Springfield Falcons

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Hard to believe that goaltender David LeNeveu(31) will be entering his 9th pro season after being drafted in 2002 by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2nd round (#46 overall).

For 2011/2012, he has signed an AHL contract to join Oklahoma City Barons, where he’ll compete for the top spot in net.

The head scratcher is that he’s only ever had one really decent year in between the pipes since his college hockey days, when he was impressive enough to leave school early and turn pro. Maybe in hindsight that wasn’t such a good decision.